San Francisco State University will award diplomas to its largest graduating class in history -- 7,183 students -- during commencement exercises at noon on Saturday, May 25 in Cox Stadium.

An estimated crowd of 22,000 graduates, family and friends will attend.

U.S. Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi, who as minority whip is the highest-ranking woman ever in Congress, will deliver the keynote speech.

"We are honored to have Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi as our commencement speaker," President Robert A. Corrigan said. "She is a trailblazer in the world of national politics -- an inspiration to all our graduates and to women in particular. Her congressional leadership on issues ranging from HIV and AIDS to the economy, housing, health care and education has shown that she truly remains a representative of the people."

Now serving her eighth term representing the citizens of San Francisco in California's Eighth Congressional District, Pelosi has emerged as a true leader.

As minority whip, Pelosi is the second-ranking Democrat in the House of Representatives behind House Minority Leader Richard Gephardt of Missouri. Fellow House Democrats elected her to the post of minority whip last October. Pelosi also serves on the Intelligence Committee, where she is the ranking Democrat.

Pelosi has played a pivotal role in forging appropriations bills for the country's domestic programs and foreign investments. She has consistently advocated increased spending for prevention and research on HIV/AIDS and breast cancer. Pelosi has made campaign finance reform a top priority and she continues to lead efforts to help New York City in its recovery following Sept. 11.

A longtime friend and advocate for SFSU, Pelosi has successfully sponsored legislation on behalf of the University and helped secure support for scientific research, early childhood education programs and minority access.

She received the SFSU President's Medal in 1996.

As previously reported in CampusMemo, the University will award an honorary degree doctor of humane letters to Millard Fuller, founder of Habitat for Humanity International which has brought homeownership to more than 500,000 people around the world.

In addition, the University will bestow SFSU President's Medals to legendary jazz musician Vernon Alley and to San Franciscan John H. Jacobs, one of the most influential figures in San Francisco's city planning and economic development over the last four decades.

The University also will honor broadcasting and electronic communications arts (BECA) grad Peter Casey, the Emmy Award-winning co-creator and executive producer of "Fraser," as the SFSU Alumni Association's 2002 Alumnus of the Year.

Commencement can be viewed AT&T Cable Channel 27 by AT&T Cable subscribers in San Francisco. A transcript of the commencement program will be made available on the University Web site shortly after the conclusion of the ceremony at:www.sfsu.edu/~news

This year's inductees, along with Alumnus of the Year Peter Casey and President's Medal recipient Vernon Alley, will be honored at a campus reception Friday. The SFSU Alumni Association selects the Hall of Fame inductees and annual Alumnus of the Year award winner.

Gemignani, who earned a bachelor's degree in music in 1968, has been the music director for more than 35 shows on Broadway and in London's West End, including "Kiss Me Kate," "Sweeney Todd," "Evita," "Follies," and "Crazy for You." He received the 2001 Tony Award for Lifetime Achievement in the Theatre.

Wunderman, who earned a bachelor's degree in political science in 1984, is senior vice president of corporate affairs for Providian Financial Corp. and chairman-elect of the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. Wunderman also served as San Francisco Mayor Frank Jordan's chief of staff and San Francisco deputy mayor from 1992 to 1995. He has acted as a consultant for many city campaigns and ballot initiatives through his consulting company, The Wunderman Group.

Gyani, who earned a bachelor's degree in business in 1973 and an MBA in finance in 1978, is president and chief executive officer of AT&T Wireless Mobility Group. Previously, he was head of strategy and corporate development and a member of the Board of Directors for Vodafone AirTouch PLC.

President Corrigan will continue to update the campus community through e-mail as he did most recently on May 13. The University has also set up a Web site where more on the University's statements and actions can be found. In addition to President Corrigan's recent statements, the site also includes a summary of events, the Academic Senate Chair's report, a resolution on civil discourse passed by the Senate and more. Click on the following link to go the Web site: SFSU's Response to Pro-Israel--Pro-Palestine tensions on campus.

This is the final edition of CampusMemo of the academic year. CampusMemo will be published twice during the summer with issues appearing June 10 and July 8. Items for those issues must be submitted by 5 p.m. of the Tuesday preceding publication. As always, the best way to submit items is to send all relevant information to pubnews@sfsu.edu

After 27 years directing the NEXA Program, Michael Gregory is retiring at the end of the semester. He will be replaced by English professor Geoffrey Green, who was elected by NEXA faculty.

NEXA was established in 1975 by a development grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities, following an initial pilot grant for a class taught from 1973 to 1975 titled "Major Figures and Their Impact" (Newton, Darwin and Einstein).

The NEXA program sponsors team-taught courses, seminars and public events.

The Office of Risk and Insurance Management will conduct a defensive driver training course from 1 to 4:30 p.m. on Monday, June 17. The class will be held in the Plant Operations Training Room in the Corporation Yard. Classes are filled on a first-come, first-serve basis.

To make a reservation, call Environmental Health and Occupational Safety at ext. 8-1449.

I wish to extend a heartfelt thanks to all my Senate colleagues for their affectionate farewell and generous gifts, but most of all for their support and service to the University. It has been a great two years, mostly because of you!

Fee waiver applications for the fall 2002 semester are now available in Human Resources, ADM 252.

The Staff Fee Waiver Program enables eligible University employees to take regular courses, which are considered work related or are part of an approved Individual Career Development Plan, at reduced rates. The Dependent Fee Waiver and Reduction Program enables employees who are eligible to participate in the Fee Waiver Program to transfer their eligibility to an eligible spouse or dependent child. The spouse or child must be a matriculating student enrolled in courses for credit toward completion of a degree or teaching credential at a CSU campus.

All fee waiver participants enroll through the touch-tone registration process. Participants should submit fee waiver applications and fees to the Cashier's Office, no later than Thursday, June 20. Employees applying for the Dependent Fee Waiver and Reduction Program should submit all paperwork to the Human Resources Department (ADM 252).

Employees with eligibility questions or concerns should contact the Fee Waiver Help Line at ext. 8-2678.

SFSU's Disability Programs and Resource Center, Human Sexuality Studies Program, Institute on Disability, and School of Social Work are hosting the First International Queer Disability Conference on June 2 and 3 at the Seven Hills Conference Center.

The conference will feature a wide range of participation and presentations by members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered, intersexed and disabled communities.

The conference has been organized by a grass-roots volunteer committee, supported by the Disabled Women's Alliance--a project of the San Francisco Women's Centers, Inc. For more information or to register for the conference go to: www.disabledwomen.net/queer

The Center for the Enhancement of Teaching invites faculty, staff and administrators to enhance their classroom experience or maximize meeting productivity through the use of the Collaboratory, located in Burk Hall 229.

Workshops will be scheduled in fall 2002 to assist interested participants in learning more about the Collaboratory and its software.

Velia Garcia, Rick Houlberg, and Pamela Vaughn had received awards of excellence as student organization advisors.

Chair Pamela Vaughn reported* on the importance of the Academy in the peace process. She noted:

The last several months have been a challenge for us all.

The senate, began the academic year with a resolution that, among other things related to the aftermath of Sept. 11, condemning "responses stigmatizing members of any religious, ethnic, racial or national group."

The campus has seen an increase in intemperate language, in acts of intimidation, from too many quarters -- and not all of these acts are related to political events.

It is incumbent upon faculty leaders to take a stand, to contribute in a positive way to actions and words that foster civil discourse and critical debate, to reject intimidation in all forms -- whether in the political arenas, the classroom, administrative offices, or our own faculty meetings -- to temper emotional and hyperbolic statements with reasoned judgment and analysis; and to encourage communication and constructive engagement. Faculty members need to recommit tehmselves to this everyday -- whether sitting in the front or the back of this room. [*Full text can be found online at: www.sfsu.edu/~news/response/senchair.htm]

Statewide senators Eunice Aaron and Jan Gregory reported:

All senators were e-mailed a complete report.

The statewide Academic Senate will focus next year on K-12 education, creating close ties with the state Legislature and working closer with student organizations.

The Legislature is considering "mandating" more service as criterion for promotion/tenure for the state's professoriate; ASCSU Faculty Affairs Committee will be monitoring closely.

Bonnie Homan, a member of the Lecturer's Council, reported:

The Lecturer's Council was established by the Academic Senate "to facilitate professional development and communication among lecturer faculty, as well as to provide a vehicle for highlighting issues of concern to lecturer faculty." This academic year the Lecturer's Council began discussing a list of lecturer issues and will continue to work on those issues next academic year. Thanks to all the lecturers who participated in the Lecturer's Council this Academic Year.

In the action part of the meeting, the Senate:

Approved a proposed Academic Calendar for 2003-2004.

Approved without dissent a resolution on a moratorium on the death penalty.

The next meeting of the Academic Senate will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 10, at Seven Hills Conference Center. All are welcome to attend. Visit the Academic Senate Web site: www.sfsu.edu/~senate